Inclusion of cricket in Olympics

Why is in new? PM welcomes inclusion of cricket in LA Olympics 2028

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the inclusion of cricket and four other sports in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

A few games will be making their comeback, while others will debut at the LA28 Olympics.

Cricket will return for the first time since 1900 and will be played in the short T20 format.

The 141st session of the IOC was held in Mumbai, India from October 15-17 and PM Narendra Modi also conveyed India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

But it’s cricket that’s set to gain a global appeal due to its inclusion in the World Cup.

Cricket will be making its return in the 2028 Olympics after a century.

Here are the additional sports approved by the IOC in its 141st session - Baseball/softball, Cricket (T20), Flag football, Lacrosse (sixes), Squash.

All five sports were voted in as a single package with two negative votes from about 90 IOC members at the 141st session in Mumbai, India.

Baseball and softball have been part of the Olympics at several editions, most recently being at Tokyo 2020. Baseball and softball are especially popular in Japan and USA.

Cricket was last played at the Olympic Games in Paris in 1900.

Lacrosse was included at the St Louis 1904 Olympics and London 1908 Olympics.

Flag football and squash will make their debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

About International Olympic Committee (IOC):

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was established in 1894, and the IOC's headquarters is located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The committee's primary objective is to promote the Olympic movement and uphold the Olympic values, which include friendship, respect, and excellence, globally.

They are responsible for organizing and managing the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. It selects the host cities through a competitive bidding process and ensures the successful execution of the Games.

They collaborate with various international sports federations to ensure the smooth functioning of the sports included in the Olympic program.

It establishes rules and regulations for Olympic sports in coordination with these federations.

They work to promote the fundamental principles of Olympism, including fair play, sportsmanship, and ethics.

It encourages participation in sports and physical activities globally, emphasizing their role in promoting a healthy lifestyle and fostering social integration.

They develop and implement ethical guidelines for athletes, officials, and other stakeholders involved in the Olympic Games.

It also plays a significant role in the fight against doping in sports, working with organizations like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to maintain the integrity of Olympic competitions.